FBI Director Kash Patel got into a heated back-and-forth with Democratic Representative Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania while testifying before a House Appropriations Committee panel on Wednesday.

The Context

Patel has clashed with most Democratic lawmakers over his steadfast support for President Donald Trump and his public backing of a number of far-right conspiracy theories over the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and the FBI‘s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

The Senate narrowly confirmed Patel to lead the FBI by a vote of 51-49 in February, with two Republicans—Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine—joining Democrats to oppose Patel’s confirmation.

What To Know

Patel sparred with Dean while testifying before the House committee panel: “During your Senate confirmation hearings, you repeatedly denied having any involvement, as a private citizen, in the firing of FBI officials who engaged in the prosecution against January 6 insurrectionists, the violent rioters who beat and killed Capitol police officers and whom you referred to as political prisoners,” Dean said.

“Since then, multiple whistleblowers have come forward and we know that you likely committed perjury,” the Pennsylvania Democrat added. “At the same hearing, you claimed you were not familiar with Stew Peters, an antisemitic Holocaust denier, despite the fact that you appeared on Mr. Peters’ podcast eight separate times—eight times—and you claimed not to recall. Mr. Patel, my second question is, should we worry more about your memory or your veracity?”

Patel shot back: “We should worry more about your lack of candor. You’re accusing me of committing perjury. Tell the American people how I broke the law and committed a felony. Have the audacity to actually put the facts forward instead of lying for political banter so you can have a 20-second donation hit.”

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.